Summer is officially here and for many of us that means we’ll be planning to hit the road for our eagerly anticipated holiday road trip.
If you’re getting away this Christmas, be mindful of the increased traffic and make sure you’re geared up for a safe journey.


Tyres
It’s been a few years now since the legal requirement for a Warrant of Fitness (WoF) inspection was pushed out from six to 12 months for most cars, which means motorists should be even more vigilant when it comes to checking their tyres.
Over the course of a year, if left unchecked, they’re more likely to wear out completely or at least develop uneven wear. Before any trip, check the pressures — and don’t forget the spare.
It’s not just about safety, there’s an impact on your bank balance, too, as under-inflated tyres consume more fuel.
If you’re unsure of your tyre condition,book in with our Tyre Professional. You may even need a wheel alignment and balance if you haven’t had one in the past 12 months.


Lights
Walk around your vehicle to check that all your lights are in working order and make sure that the lenses are clean.
With kids off school, more visitors in New Zealand and locals on the road, it’s important to see and be seen, particularly when you’re driving in conditions where vision could be reduced.


Cooling system
No one wants to overheat on the side of the road or, worse, in the middle of crawling traffic.
Make sure your cooling system is in full working order to avoid that horror holiday scenario.
If you have to regularly top it up, get it checked out before you hit the road.
On average, there are 7500 AA Roadservice callouts a year that are related to issues with a car’s cooling system — many could have been avoided with regular checks. Call our Service Team today on 06 968 5679 and beat the Rush. 


Service
It’s important to check the engine oil level and top it up when required.
If your annual service is coming up and you know it’s going to coincide with travel plans, make sure you get it done early.
Don’t wait until after your road trip to get your car serviced, book in early today on 06 968 5679.


Vision
Squinting through dirt and marks on your windscreen, windows and mirrors is setting yourself up for a painful drive.
Clean them and ensure wiper blades are in good condition. If in doubt, buy new ones.
Make sure your windscreen washer fluid is full and always top up with fresh windscreen additive we have 1L Bottles available for only $17.
If you have a stone chip on your windscreen, get it repaired before you hit the road as heat and travel may cause it to crack and spread.


Towing
It may have been a while since your trailer or caravan was last on the road, so it’s important to check the wheel bearings to ensure they aren’t loose or noisy.
As well as your vehicle’s spare tyre, it’s also a good idea to carry a spare for your trailer or caravan to avoid that worst-case, but all-too-real scenario of being stranded on the side of the road.
If space is lacking (or your car didn’t come with a spare), it is possible to carry a can of tyre inflator/sealer designed to get you to a place of repair. You can find these in our Parts Department. 

Call our Friendly Service Team on 06 968 5679 and Book in for these Checks today.  

Most of us can relate to this scenario. You are slowing at an intersection but, instead of coming to a stop quietly, your brakes squeal and scream their way to a halt.
It could be a sign that your brakes require some attention. With so many parts to a braking system, there are a few common issues that can be experienced during the ownership of a vehicle.
Vehicle braking systems rely on friction generated between two components of different material types in various combinations of a steel disc/brake pad, or steel drum/brake shoe as a method to slow a vehicle. There is a high possibility for a brake system to make noise.
Brake pad material construction can vary based on the quality and brand of the product used. Pads can have high heat and noise resisting capabilities, and low wear or dust generating capabilities. However, sometimes the better the brake pad, the harder they are on the disc they run against.

The downside of replacing pads only
If an old disc just gets new pads, they will need bedding in and there’s a high chance that the brakes may take longer to be as effective as they once were, and noises may also develop.
This is because the new pads have a smooth flat surface, while the old disc may have scores and scratches from the old brake pads.
To prevent this happening, a portable lathe can take a small shaving from each side of the disc, giving it a nice smooth surface like new.
A downside to this is that the disc gets thinner every time a disc is skimmed which can make it easier for a brake disc to warp in the future.
Ultimately if the discs are getting close to their limits, it would be best to put new discs on with a fresh set of pads.
As most of the braking force is carried out by the front disc brakes, the rear brakes (discs or drum) are unlikely to need attention as often. A rear drum brake system incorporates the same principles as disc, but the construction and operation methods slightly differ.
Brake fluid is the life blood of the braking system; it is also hydroscopic (absorbs moisture from the atmosphere). It provides the link from the brake pedal to the components doing the work at the wheels. Every vehicle has a recommended brake fluid replacement schedule that ensures the fluid remains clean, fresh and free from moisture.

When’s the right time to replace?
Brake pads have warning indicators to help inform drivers when they should be replaced. Metal strips are set to a specific distance where they’ll start to rub against the disc when the pads become just a few millimetres thick, alerting the driver that the brake material may be low.
The indicator rubbing noise is usually most noticeable when the brakes aren’t applied and it’ll become less obvious when the brakes are used. If you notice this happening, call our Service Department on 06 968 5679  and get your vehicle booked in. 
If you are driving a vehicle with noisy brakes, get them checked as soon as possible. It could be something simple or there may be signs that more work is required. Either way, it’s important to take a closer look to ensure your vehicle stays safe on the road.

Call our Fantastic Service Team on 06 968 5679 today to book in a check on your brakes. 

Android Auto™  (Pictured Left) automatically brings you useful information and organises it into simple cards that appear when they’re needed. 
The home screen shows you relevant information like time to destination, reminders, the current song and new messages.You can use Google voice control or the touch screen to operate Android Auto™ apps.
Apple Car Play ( Pictured Right) features Siri voice control to operate the navigation/maps, hands free phone and SMS.
Siri can be accessed by either using the voice recognition button on the steering wheel or holding the home screen button.

Google Maps /Maps:
Let Google Maps™ lead you to your destination. Voice-guided navigation, live traffic information and lane guidance will get you there safely. Integration with Google Calendar means you start your journey with minimal fuss and arrive at your destination sooner.
Maps give you turn-by-turn directions, traffic conditions, and the estimated travel time. Maps can also use the addresses from your email, text messages, contacts, and calendar events to help you get to where you need to be.

Music/Spotify, Google Music:
Play your favourite artists, songs, podcasts and playlists from your iPhone² by using Siri² or the vehicle’s touch screen.
Access your favourite music with apps like Google Play™ Music and Spotify, or listen to podcasts through streaming apps.

Calls/ Messages:
Make calls and respond to messages using your voice, all while keeping your eyes on the road. Siri will guide you if you want to make calls, return missed calls, and listen to voicemail while driving to your destination safely. Siri can send, read, and reply to your text messages for you. Simply tell Siri what to do, and you’ll never have to look at your phone while driving.

Tire alignment, also known as wheel alignment, can help your tires perform properly and help them last longer. It can also improve handling and keep your vehicle from pulling in one direction or vibrating strangely on the road.
 
WHAT IS TIRE ALIGNMENT?
Alignment refers to an adjustment of a vehicle’s suspension – the system that connects a vehicle to its wheels. It is not an adjustment of the tires or wheels themselves. The key to proper alignment is adjusting the angles of the tires which affects how they make contact with the road.
 
HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED A TIRE ALIGNMENT?
There are a couple ways to tell if your car needs a tire alignment. If you've noticed one or more of these indicators, you should have your alignment checked by a licensed service technician immediately.
 
Uneven tread wear
Vehicle pulling to the left or right
Your steering wheel is off center when driving straight
Steering wheel vibration

CAMBER, TOE, & CASTER
When a technician checks your tire alignment, he or she is mainly concerned with three things:
 
1. CAMBER
This is the inward or outward angle of the tire when viewed from the front of the vehicle. Too much inward or outward tilt, also known as negative and positive camber, respectively, indicates improper alignment and will need to be adjusted. Worn bearings, ball joints, and other wheel-suspension parts may contribute to camber misalignment.
 
2. TOE
Distinct from camber alignment, toe alignment is the extent to which your tires turn inward or outward when viewed from above. If that’s confusing, just stand up and look down at your feet. Angle them inward toward the center of your body. When the tires on your car are angled the same way (remember, we’re thinking in terms of birds-eye-view), we call this toe-in alignment. Angle your feet outward and you have toe-out alignment. Both require adjustment.
 
3. CASTER
Your caster angle helps balance steering, stability, and cornering. Specifically, it’s the angle of your steering axis when viewed from the side of your vehicle. If you have positive caster, the steering axis will tilt toward the driver. Negative caster, on the other hand, means the steering axis tilts toward the front of your vehicle.
 
WHY TIRE ALIGNMENT MATTERS
Improper wheel or tire alignment can cause your tires to wear unevenly and prematurely. Here are some specific types of undue tread wear attributable to misalignment:
 
FEATHERING
Tires are “feathered” when the tread is smooth on one side and sharp on another. This is usually a sign of poor toe alignment.
 
CAMBER WEAR
This strain of tread wear means the inside or outside of the tread is significantly more worn than the center of the tread. As its name implies, positive or negative camber causes this type of wear.
 
HEEL/TOE WEAR
This happens when one side of your tread blocks wears down more quickly than the other in a circumferential direction. When you run your hand over the tread, it will look and feel like saw teeth when viewed from the side. Heel/toe wear could be a sign of under inflation and/or lack of rotation.
 
If you’re experiencing any of these unusual wear patterns, you should have a technician check your alignment. While tire wear prevention is a good reason to keep your wheel alignment in check, the consequences of misalignment can also play out in overall vehicle performance. A car that pulls to one side or steers erratically, for example, probably has an alignment problem.
 
TIRE BALANCING
Distinct from tire alignment, tire or wheel balancing refers to compensation for any weight imbalances in the tire/wheel combination and is often performed in conjunction with wheel alignment. There are two basic types of tire/wheel imbalance that need correction – static (single plane) and dynamic (dual plane).
 
Static balance addresses balance on only one plane – vertical movement which can cause vibration. A dynamic imbalance, on the other hand, addresses balance in two planes – vertical movement and lateral movement . Both types of imbalance require the use of a special balancing machine to help even things out.
 
To begin balancing your tires, a technician will mount them on the correct rims and adjust the pressure to optimal inflation. Then each tire goes on the center bore of a balancing machine. The machine spins the tire at a high speed to measure the wheel/tire combination imbalance. It signals how much weight the tech should add to balance out the tire and the areas where said weight is needed.
 
Tire balancing is essential for proper tire care for the same reason as wheel alignment: prevention of premature tread wear. Having tires aligned and balanced every 12 months can help maximize their lifespan and overall performance.

Tyre rotation refers to the periodic shifting of a car's wheels and tyres to ensure uniform tread wear and longer tread life. Front tyres exert more pressure than the rear and hence it becomes imperative for the tyres to be rotated. Here are some tips on how and when to get your car tyres rotated. 

Did you know that a child under seven years must be seated in an approved child restraint?
As a driver, it’s your responsibility to ensure this happens. Motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of deaths through injury for New Zealand children.
On average each year, about four children aged under 10 die as a passenger in a crash. More than 200 are injured.
International best practice recommends that a child should be seated in an approved child restraint until they are 148cm tall or 11 years old because seatbelts are designed for people over that height. The age and size of the child determines the type of restraint required and when it needs to be changed.
Always consult an expert when buying/renting a child restraint for the first time. The NZ Transport Agency website has a list of certified Child Restraint Technicians who have been trained so they can provide informed advice on the type of child restraint you may need, and better yet — how to correctly fit one.
Technicians can come from a variety of organisations such as retailers, car rental companies, hospitals and charities. Child restraints are sold in stores that specialise in baby supplies, department stores and larger toy shops. You can rent child restraints from the Plunket Society, or community groups.

Types of child restraints can be best explained in the following three stages:

1. Rear-facing car seat or capsule:
Babies can come early so it’s recommended that you have a seat installed and have practised taking it in and out of all the vehicles you’ll use it in well before the due date.
Always put this type of restraint in the back seat with the baby looking out the rear window. Never put a rear facing seat in the front if there’s an airbag in the dash — your baby will be at risk if the airbag inflates.
It’s time to change to a front-facing car seat when the child’s head reaches the top of the car seat, or their weight is over the recommended maximum weight for the seat. This is usually around the time a child turns two.

2. Forward-facing car seat: 
Always use an approved seat (look for standard compliance labels) correct for the weight and size until it no longer fits.
Plunket advises that size is more important than age for car seat choice. If the seat has a top tether, make sure it is used and the vehicle has an appropriate tethering point. Some vehicles come with anchor points in the parcel shelf, or you can purchase an approved bracket and have a competent workshop fit it.
You may also see the word ISOFIX on vehicle and child seats — these are dedicated lower anchorage points making the installation of child restraints a breeze.
It‘s time for an upgrade to a booster seat when the child’s eye level is at the top of the car seat or they exceed the seat recommended weight limit.

3. Booster seat:
Choose a booster seat with a guide that keeps the safety belt on the child’s shoulder, away from the neck. It should also allow the vehicle seatbelt to sit against the child’s body and not be held away from it.
Once again, the back seat is the safest place for a child to sit. Make sure a lap and sash/diagonal seatbelt is used and not a single lap belt.
You can also use a child safety harness with some booster seats which anchors into the vehicle like the tether on a car seat.
Further information can be found on the NZTA and Plunket websites or in retail outlets where you might find child restraint technicians.

Volkswagen's Active Info Display, gives you greater access to Vehicle information than ever before.
​
The Active Info Display takes place of traditional instrumentation behind the steering wheel. This High-Definition Display uses a 12.3" Screen with configurable views. Choose from Maps, Vehicle Information, Driver Assistance, Off- Road and Vehicle Performance Functions. Use the multi-function steering wheel to adjust the Active Info Display to your personal Preferences. 

The Leather Wrapped Multi-Function Steering Wheel is not only comfortable to grip on long journeys but gives you the ability to stay in charge of your vehicles technology while on the move. You are able to access and control your vehicles Bluetooth,  Cruise or Adaptive Cruise Control, Active Info Display and Driving Information. Control Radio Stations and volumes as well as setting your speed limiter and answering phone calls. 

Volkswagen's Glass Covered Touchscreen is an 8 inch High Definition Colour Display which connects intuitively to the infotainment system.  Using the easily accessible menu buttons gives you access to Naviagtion, the App-Connect Menu, Media Menu, Important vehicle information, the Radio, Phone and Voice Commands. Gesture Control allows you to change radio stations and make adjustments using only gestures.  

​Lachlan is a representative rugby player (Openside Flanker) who has played rugby for Taranaki from under 13 level through to Senior Mitre 10 Cup Level. Lachlan is currently contracted to and plays for the Chiefs Super Rugby Team. He has also represented New Zealand at Secondary School Level, Under 20 Level and the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians.

1.  Open Your Key Fob:
The first step is to open up your key fob. Take a flat head screwdriver and gently pry it open around the edges. It’s best to pry it open in a few different places so you don’t break the key fob.

2. Pinpoint the Battery Type:
If you don’t already know what kind of replacement battery you need, you’ll be able to identify it now that you have the key fob opened up. Pay attention to the battery – and + markings, and the type of battery you’ll need. You can purchase your replacement battery from the WR Phillips Parts Department so call us Toll Free on 0508 889 889 or pop in to 156 Devon St West and see our knowledgeable Parts Team. We have most types of key batteries in stock. 

3. Replace the Battery:

Now it’s time to replace the battery. Put the battery in the correct position, aligning properly with the battery markings. Gently snap the fob back together and test the remote buttons to make sure the new battery works.
That’s it! If you’re still unsure about replacing your key battery drop in and see Craig in our Parts Reception or call our Toll Free Line on 0508 889 889.

​

Spring is not too far away and that means we have got excited to head out and hit the road. We have come up with our Top 5 Road Trips. 

1: Taranaki Loop
Drive right around Mt Taranaki and follow the Surf 45 Coastal Highway for some of the best Surf Breaks in the country.  There is lots to explore including the Cape Egmont Lighthouse and the Forgotten Highway out to the Republic of Whangamonona. There are stunning views throughout this Journey. 

2: Wanaka to Dunedin:
This South Island Road Trip takes in some of the most picturesque roads in the country, there are scenic stop offs throughout this journey, so make sure there is memory on the Camera! Driving through the countryside around Queenstown and Central Otago provides beautiful vistas and stunning scenery to take in. 

3: The Coromandel Loop:
This drive is a stunning journey encompassing the whole of the Coromandel Peninsula  starting from the Township of Thames and meandering along the Coast road which follows the coastline and provides stunning views of the ocean and the Native Christmas tree, the beautiful Pohutakawa. The return journey from the top of the Peninsula provides stunning white sand beaches and delightful views of classic New Zealand countryside.

4: Auckland to Kaitaia:
This journey takes you from New Zealand's largest city to the beautiful Bay Of Islands, with white sand beaches and clear water beckoning you. There are multiple stops of interest along the way,  including the Gum Museum and 90 Mile Beach which is a stunning expanse of sand. 

5: Napier to Rotorua:
This is a long road-trip which takes in Napier's wine country and takes you through to the thermal wonderland that is Rotorua. With plenty to do and see in this area including the Blue Lake, native forests and geysers a plenty, this is an amazing area in which to enjoy classic New Zealand vistas.